Vice President Sara Duterte is pushing back after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. responded to her statement thanking him for a “renewed relationship” with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a briefing Friday, Sara Duterte explained that her remark was not sincere but sarcastic. She believes Marcos misunderstood her message completely. Speaking from The Hague, where she recently visited her father in Scheveningen Prison, she emphasized that the President’s obligation is to the nation—not to resolve family drama.
Sara Duterte claimed Marcos did not understand the sarcasm embedded in her comment. She said it was not his job to mediate private issues among political families, especially given the gravity of the situation surrounding her father.
The ICC case and family tensions
Rodrigo Duterte faces trial before the ICC over alleged crimes against humanity related to his administration’s war on drugs. Despite the Philippines formally exiting the ICC in 2019, the former president was arrested and is now being held abroad. This has caused renewed public and private tensions, not just in the Duterte family but also within the Marcos administration.
Earlier this week, Sara Duterte visited her father with her half-sister, Kitty Duterte. After the meeting, she told reporters she “had to thank Bongbong Marcos” for helping her reconnect with her father. She mentioned forgiveness between herself and Rodrigo Duterte for past conflicts in their personal lives.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro responded the following day, saying the vice president should thank her father directly, not the President. Castro said that any reconciliation came as a result of Rodrigo Duterte’s case with the ICC, not through presidential intervention.
Political fallout and future implications
Sara Duterte’s statement has raised eyebrows across political circles. She has now clarified her intent was not to credit Marcos sincerely. Instead, she aimed to underscore the irony of needing to reconnect with her father under such grave circumstances.
This public back-and-forth highlights the ongoing strain between the Dutertes and the Marcos administration, even as both sides attempt to present a united front. With Sara Duterte continuing to serve as vice president, her words hold significant weight in shaping public perception—both of her father’s legacy and of her relationship with President Marcos.
As public interest in Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case grows, so does speculation over Sara Duterte’s next political moves. Whether this marks a permanent rift or a temporary dispute remains unclear.
Regardless, Sara Duterte continues to play a central role in both national politics and her family’s unfolding saga—one that could impact the Philippines’ political landscape for years to come.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.